The following policy statement was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on the 10th January 2023.
 

This parochial church council has adopted the Church Of England Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance. In particular our church is committed to:

• Promoting a safer environment and culture.

• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.

• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

• Caring pastorally for victims / Survivors of abuse and other affected persons.

• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.

• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

 

The Parish will:

➢ Create a safe and caring place for all.

➢ Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement this policy and procedures.

➢ Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.

➢ Ensure that there is appropriate insurance to cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the Parish.

➢ Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.

➢ Ensure and display clear instructions as to how to report concerns or allegations.

➢ Ensure that procedures and risk assessments are in place and these are reviewed annually.

➢ Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.

➢ Take steps to protect children and adults when safeguarding of any kind is a concern, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager (DSM) and / or statutory agencies immediately.

➢ Offer support to victims / survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.

➢ Following advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager, support and manage the safe involvement of any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.

➢ Ensure that all officers and members of PCC are DBS checked and trained in safeguarding procedures at the appropriate level required for their role in the life of St Peter’s.

➢ Ensure that prayer ministry is conducted according to all Safeguarding Principles with the preference that couples ministering should not be married to each other and at least one of them be the same gender as the person being ministered to.

Each person working within this Church community will be required to abide by this policy and the guidance established by St Peter’s, Yateley.

​

To be reviewed: January 2024